MAPUTO– The World Bank (WB) has mobilised over half a billion dollars in new resources to help people in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe affected by Cyclone Idai, according to a statement released Sunday.

The global funder is activating the International
Development Association (IDA) crisis response window (CRW) to provide up to
$545 million in total for the three affected countries, the statement said.

This is in addition to nearly $150 million in
resources that have recently been made available from existing projects.
Together, total WB support to the three countries’ recovery reaches around $700
million.

The WB is also working with Mozambique and Comoros
to assess and respond to the newest development—Cyclone Kenneth.

“Cyclone Idai caused
catastrophic damage earlier this year that affected millions of people, and
this tragedy has been compounded by Cyclone Kenneth,”
said World Bank Group President
David Malpass, following a tour of Beira’s affected areas.

“The WB
Group is working closely with our partners to help the population recover from
these terrible storms, build back stronger than before, and improve countries’
resilience to natural disasters.”

Mozambique, the country hardest hit by the cyclone,
will receive $350 million in CRW financing to re-establish the water supply,
rebuild damaged public infrastructure and crops, and support disease
prevention, food security, social protection, and early warning systems in the
impacted communities.

For neighbouring Malawi, the CRW will provide $120
million in financing to restore agricultural livelihoods, reconstruct priority
infrastructure, and support disease surveillance.

In addition, the WB intends to provide an
exceptional allocation of up to $75 million to select UN agencies to support
the people of Zimbabwe also affected by Cyclone Idai. Funds will go toward a
harmonized multi-sector livelihood support and recovery operation focused on
social welfare and community interventions.

President Malpass was in Mozambique as part of his
first official trip as head of the organization. Prior to Mozambique, Malpass
travelled to Ethiopia and Madagascar to visit several World Bank Group-funded
projects; meet with government leaders, private sector representatives, and
other stakeholders; and hear from beneficiaries and local partners.

(WB) has mobilised over half a billion dollars in new resources to help people in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe affected by Cyclone Idai, according to a statement released Sunday.

The global funder is activating the International
Development Association (IDA) crisis response window (CRW) to provide up to
$545 million in total for the three affected countries, the statement said.

This is in addition to nearly $150 million in
resources that have recently been made available from existing projects.
Together, total WB support to the three countries’ recovery reaches around $700
million.

The WB is also working with Mozambique and Comoros
to assess and respond to the newest development—Cyclone Kenneth.

“Cyclone Idai caused
catastrophic damage earlier this year that affected millions of people, and
this tragedy has been compounded by Cyclone Kenneth,”
said World Bank Group President
David Malpass, following a tour of Beira’s affected areas.

“The WB
Group is working closely with our partners to help the population recover from
these terrible storms, build back stronger than before, and improve countries’
resilience to natural disasters.”

Mozambique, the country hardest hit by the cyclone,
will receive $350 million in CRW financing to re-establish the water supply,
rebuild damaged public infrastructure and crops, and support disease
prevention, food security, social protection, and early warning systems in the
impacted communities.

For neighbouring Malawi, the CRW will provide $120
million in financing to restore agricultural livelihoods, reconstruct priority
infrastructure, and support disease surveillance.

In addition, the WB intends to provide an
exceptional allocation of up to $75 million to select UN agencies to support
the people of Zimbabwe also affected by Cyclone Idai. Funds will go toward a
harmonized multi-sector livelihood support and recovery operation focused on
social welfare and community interventions.

President Malpass was in Mozambique as part of his
first official trip as head of the organization. Prior to Mozambique, Malpass
travelled to Ethiopia and Madagascar to visit several World Bank Group-funded
projects; meet with government leaders, private sector representatives, and
other stakeholders; and hear from beneficiaries and local partners.